The judge had already ruled that the administration was not complying with his previous order requiring the government to keep disbursing money to states.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell found in favor of 23 states that sued over the controversial directive, saying the administration didn't provide any rationale giving Trump the authority to stop congressionally approved funding.

A federal judge Thursday blocked the Trump administration from freezing up to $3 trillion in funding for federal agency grants, loans and other financial assistance. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.